Adjustable freight securing means



Nov. 27, 195i P. H. THEARLE 2,576,425

ADJUSTABLE FREIGHT sEcURING MEANS Filed Aug. 2o, 1949 2 sHEETsr-SHEET 1 INA/ENTOR. i A PH. THe-mmf www@ lIIv"IIIIHUUII "'Hw "AMW" Millau- Il, Y n 1 u L E u ,W E-; Z J 4/ A L 2 d. iulnl n Nov. 27, 1951 AP. H. THl-:ARLrjl 2,576,425

ADJUSTABLE FREIGHT SECURING'MEANS ,2 SHEETS-SHEET 2 Filed Aug. 20, 1949 j @am v .R m 3 i E WM 2 2 @D w, ma m T 7 rnd 9 H I l 1 M HHlH W 8 Y f 8 n? H m P.

B mf@ 1w. m m .W :2J v./ I H W fw NA |070. ./y l 2 Y 0 o0 6 f a -i Iii f 8- n 8 45.... di t ....7 7 a F Patented Nov. 27, 1951 .2,576,4,2'5 ADJUSTABLE rRErGH'r sneURrNG MEANS Philip Hampton llliearle Gunda, idalifnassisnqr .to Todd Shipyards Cernoiction, gafcorppratinn ofNew York Application August :'20, 1949, Serial No. 111,535 1 1 claims. (c1. desfase-i This :invention relates :to .means for securing ireight .against shifting or :for separating ship- .ments of .less .than .fcarload lots .of packaged or bulk merchandise .in .freight compartments such .as railway 'box cars, imotor ltruck vans, strong V,rooms of yessels, :special cargo lockers, store looms, .or .in any yother .application where it .is .necessary .tosecure-stacked cargo or merchandise against shifting within a confined space pr to separate various-lots of shipments.

In carrying outtheinvention lengthwise track- -waysare installed fthe sidesor wallsof the ve- 'fhicle or cargo space, ya plurality :of trackways sbeing usually provided at leacn -fsde of the ferrea, 1spaced vat .desirable ,distances apart and running .parallel sto :the-floor andeeiling. Cross stretchers -or braces vare provided which .may be moved1=t0 :any desired position .on the trackways, vto suit the cargo vor merchandise to .be secured, and lockedin such position. rIhe construction issuch that the cross stretchers may be pressed against the :merchandise .so .as vto hold the samenrmly in vplace with thedesired degree of .compressive force.

In general the `object -of :the invention is jto provide .an :improved @construction of the .char-v .acterzreferredto'in whichthezconstruction of the .trackwa-y tis simple, strong, .and inexpensive; v in which thelockingzmeans'ior the :cross stretchers pis-of .rugged construction and mavbequicllyand easilycoperated so as .to hold fthe cross stretchrs the Adesired position of adjustment andanply :such degree ;of .pressure :to :the cargo as may be required; in which locking devices are mounted .on `@the :cross 'stretchcrs Aa manner permitting 35 ilateral adjnsteblitvso ,as v15o-take care .0i -Variaf ways mounted on such Walls being shown in transverse section. and one cross stretcher Vbeine, shown in side elevation with portions broken away.

Figure 2 :is "a I'horizontal ysection on g line -2-2 .pf i-Eig. '1, .showing ein plan one .end of the cross stretcher and the ilockingand .pressureiapplying fmealls.

Figure 3 iis .a vertical longitudinal .view iongline 37:3 .of Eig. :2, .showing la. portion .of the -trackway .and Iof :the stretcher :locking .means in elevation 'Figure 4 -.a -perspective -view of the locking .flug shown'zin/ Figs.1,;-2 -and;3.

Figure 5fis a plan viewcfamodied construc- .ation of .cross stretcher, fthe :side walls .of the .car vor other :compartment 'lacing show-n :in horizontal SQCQIL Figure 6 -is I a y:transverseryerigical .section :on l line E-SfF-igs.

.Figure 7 ,is .a rerticalfsection kon line 1.....-.1.0.f

.Fiera 1 Eeure aisianersncctiveyew ocasion-tion of-Ltne trachwayshownf-in-gs.zsiianda?.

Referring detail to the dorm of the invention shown YFis-s. 1,1 to s .cthesidewalls o flthe box fear scr other cargo .compartment A:are :show-n .at 10,. As ,illustrated v tllese side -walls comprise metal :side :posts :il 2 having inside sheathing JA. Qhvionsly fthe :construction .pf :these walls is ino 'Bart oithefinventon.. Faceplates -laremcunted in the iside Malmand are prcierably .secured Joy welding or otherwise ro, stiifcnlng .members L8 'which are snor/n .in 4the form ;ofv .channels at- -tached :to ine side nest 152; yalthough :the par.- -tcular forni .stiiieninszincrnbers 1andzthe manner .ci s eeurine-vtnenigin the cargo icoinnaniment zmayineaanedatoanitdihenarticnlarconditionsiof annlicat n. he faceplates l5 are proxidediat .'lleglll .0 Win91; are :shown as Qf .cruciform shape, las particularly illustrated in :Fig. :3. having :vertical arms .2;2 and-horizcntal-erms 24.- .'lheaee plates .and channels arclshowniasfmcanted.inthe longi- Anidinal'sidevral1 ss1f alle car oreiller cargo coinpartment, tlie ieee-plaies .preferably being nush or apnnlxlmatelyzflnsh 2with :the innere `tl.1e;s.l1ea t ng, c

:the .channels yI-, ,se las immonde crernaneing flanges, and the flange 26 at the pppenedge o f filieiace nlateis snrrcilndcd bmairccess 2.28 in .the w, f vailier.: sccenlparinentfiornerpese which Lbeenpl ned.

yone the crcsssstretcnces isslicwn atwl and flange 26 on the face plate. The ends of the hook plates are received ireely in the recesses 28 and support the stretchers upon the face plates, while they are being slid to desired position for use. One, or both, of the hook plates 34 is preferably mounted for limited free longitudinal movement on the stretcher so that the stretcher may be slid freelyalonglthe'trackwayirrespe'ctive of the oidinaryvariations"in-gauge"due to bulging of the compartment walls or similar causes. In the construction shown the hook plates are provided with elongated slots 38 through .which pass large headed studs 4B riveted in the top wall of the stretcher. As the anges 36- of thehook plates lie behind the Ilanges A26 ofithe face'platesythere is no danger of the stretcher becoming displaced from the trackways. A

For locking the stretchersA-in desired position longitudinally of the trackways, locking 'lugs l2 are provided which have T-shaped heads 44 which may be' insertedfin any.k desired v,corresponding -pair of Yslots inthe race; plates of 'the trackway.

The heads dil are of such size that their 4ends L'mayxpass through 'thefvertical armszfof the Vslots'Zi), whereupon the lugs are slid longitudinalyly until the headsfll `lock behind the plate above 1 and below the4 horizontal arm portion 24 of the slot furthest from thestretcher.'` The lugs are -provided with internally .threaded holes 6 .through which pass .jackscrews 48 which have .stems 50 passing through slots in the wall of the stretcher and through corresponding. slots -52 in reinforcingplates Ell.. The! screws are retained in the slots by suitable means such as -collars 56 'shown in -dottedflines in Fig. 2. Means are provided for rotating the jackscrews, such as 'bars58,=slidably mountedl in iholes in the ends of the jackscrew'sfan'd prevented from dropping out 4by pins E0. @The-,lugs 42 are preferably pro- `videdwithfbroad-iaceslZ and overhanging portionsd 'on their sides-furthest from the stretchers sofas to providellav i'irmY-bearingfor. the lugs against thelface plates-When lpressure is applied thereto by thetighteningrofthefjackscrews; The v adjustable-Screw 'connection' between the lugs and -the stretchers-perniitsfthe-stretchers -to be located `at .any point valong A'the trackways by selecting proper lslots'forl application of-.the lugs and then adjusting theja'cksc'rews.- The jack- `screwsare slightly-longer than the distance' be- Avtween '-adjacentllslotsfso that universalr adjustability lis provided. Therjackscrews may also be used to force" the stretcher againstlthe'cargo when necessary so as to hold-thesame"-iir-mlyr in position. The slidable bars 58 permit the screws Ytobe rotated a one-half turn/ati a time to any extent necessaryA It will `be seen that the lugs r42 interlock with the'face plates-'so that they are always properly engaged therewith irrespective of variations ofthe gauge of the trackways.

The ends 'of the'jackscrewsbeing looselyfmounted in -the slots 52 in the stretcherfmay move longitudinally thereof -suihciently to take care of such 'The face DlatesHlA have-a" plurality of `closely 'spaced slots A'l2 therein'ij which maybe of any "desired shape such 'v asf',round orY rectangular. ,'Th'es'e slots are preferably spaced vcloser together than the slots *20,the construction'previl* y losly described;n The "stretchers 14`comprise` 4 metal members 'i6 o box like form which are sheathed if necessary by a sheathing 32 of plywood or the like. Supporting hook plates 18 are provided at the ends of the stretcher, these hook plates being preferably mounted, in the construction shown, on the inside of the top wall of the stretcher. These plates are provided with lelongated slots "52, as in the previous construction, the Yplates being adjustably retained at their inner ends by studs im. Passing through the slots at the outer ends o1" the bracket plates 152 carry projecting lugs or locking arms 86,

which are adapted to project into corresponding slots 'i2 in the face plates. Secured to the upper ends of the bearing pins Si! are heads 88, such upper ends being preferably Ysquared as indicated at 9B `so that the heads 8S are held against turning with respect to thelatch members. .Lever arms- 92.4are pivoted tothe heads 8S; the lever arms having means for locking them in .adjusted position which are shown as comprising a pin on the lever arm which is adapted to engage .in one or the other of the holes 96., in'a raised iiange-QB of ac locking plate lil secured to the top of the cross stretcher. Withthis construction the levers 92 maybeswung upwardly, as shown indotted lines in Fig. `6,.,fso Vas toldisen'- -gage the pins from: the -lockingvplates *,The levers are then rotated far enough to permit .the

lugs to disengagev thezslotsgin' therme-plates, whereupon the stretchers may beslidalong'the `trackway to the desired position. The levers are nowswung. sov as to engage thelugs'f inthe corresponding slots and are` lockedcin such position by engaging the pins '.1912 `on the endsof the levers with appropriate holes By choosing 'a .proper pair of slots'v and adjusting the angulari- :ty of the lugs any adjustment .is possible;The

lugs are of such length with respect to the distance `between adjacent slots as :tolprovide whatever range of'y movement is necessary, land *they are also of vsuch length yas yto *project well into or throughY the slots so that .a considerable variation vin the gauge of the trackways is permitted without danger of Ithe lugs, not properly engaging in the slots.l f' By rotating Athe .latch struction to the cargo:i Y' f Where the trackwaysf'are `vmounted in the side walls''of abox carA orother compartmenthaving side doors, portable sections of the'trackwaycan berprovided to'tspanfthe door area-so as to Ypermit "the stretchers being-used tov secure cargo loaded oppositetoadoorope'ning;m

While certain preferred embodiments-of vthe invention have been illustrated" and "described in detail, it is to be understood that changesrmay be made thereinand ythe ,invention embodied in V'other structures. It is not;` therefore, thefintention` to limit the patent 'tothe speciiic constructions illustrated, butto cover the invention broadly in whatever iormitsprinciple be utilized.

Iclaim l l 1 Means. for Seeurnsiresht inl-.a .arsofcompartment comprising trackways mounted in subaardgas stantially parallel. relationship along the sides of. the compartment, said` trackways comprising stifening channels having face plates secured thereto, said face plates having holes formed therein spaced at intervals longitudinally of the traekways, the upper edges of the face plates extending' above the stiffening channelsk being smooth and even to formgu-iderails, and a cross stretcher extending transversely between said trackways; said cross stretcher having hook plates mounted thereon and extending beyond the. ends thereof and riding on said guide rails, said plates having hooked portions engaging behind the edges, of the platea and locking meansindependent of the hook plates carried by the ends of said cross stretcher having parts. for insertion into and engagement with corresponding holes in the face plates for locking the stretcher against movement longitudinally of the face plates.

2. Means. for securing', freight in a cargo compartment comprising trackivays mounted in substantially parallel relationship. along the sides of the compartment, said trackways comprising stiffening channels having face plates secured thereto, said face plates having holes formed thereinA spaced' at intervalsv longitudinally ofthe tending above the stifening channels being smooth, and even to form guideV rails, and a cross stretcher extending transversely between said trackways, said cross stretcher havinghook plates mounted thereon extending beyond the ends thereof and riding on said guide rails, said plates having hooked portions engaging behind the edges of the plates, the hook plate at at least one end of the stretcher being capable of limited free sliding movement longitudinally of the stretcher, and locking means independent of the hook plates carried by the ends of said cross stretcher having parts for insertion into and engagement with co1'- responding holesin the face plates for locking the stretcher against movement longitudinally of the v faceplates. Y

3. Means for securing freight in -a cargo compartment comprising trackways mounted in substantially parallel relationship along the sides of the compartment, said trackwaysv comprising stiffening channels having face plates secured thereto, said face plates having holes formed therein spaced at intervals longitudinally of the trackways, the upper edges of the face plates extending above the stiifening channels being smooth and even to form guide rails, and a cross stretcher extending transversely between said trackways, said cross stretcher having hook plates mounted thereon extending beyond the ends thereof and riding on said guide rails, said plates having hooked portions engaging 'behind the edges of the plates, the hook plate at at least one end of the stretcher being capable of limited free sliding movement longitudinally of the stretcher, and locking means` at the ends of said cross stretcher forengagement with corresponding holes in the face plates, said locking means comprising a lug having a head for interlocking engagement with a hole in the face plate and a jackscrew carried by said lug and engaging the cross stretcher near its end, said jackscrew being attached to said stretcher by means permitting a limited free movement of the screw in a direction longitudinally of the cross stretcher.

4. Means for securing freight in cargo compartments as claimed in claim 3 in which the holes in the face plates are cruciform slots, the

6 lugs hav/ing` T'head portions. adapted to. interlock in said slots.

5. Means` for securing freight in cargo. com.

partments comprising trackvzays mountedn sub.. stantially parallel relationship along the sides of the compartment, each track-way being providedwith a plurality of spaced slots, and a. cross stretcher extending transversely between said trackways, said cross. stretcher having locking means at. each end thereof adapted to be engaged with the corresponding slots. of a pair, said locke ing meansA comprising latch members mounted at the ends, of said stretchersfor rotation about axes; transverse tothe axis of the. stretcher, said latch members, having lugs movable into. and outof engagement. with said slots by rotary motion. ofthe latch members, crank levers for rotating said latch members. about their axes and means for loekir-ig; said crank levers: in. adjusted angular.y poition.

6;. Means. for securing freight in cargo.. com-v nartments comprising trackways, mounted in sub,-v stantially parallel relationship along the sides, of Said compartment, said trackways. comprising hollow members having faceplates provided with longitudinally spaced slots opening into said hollovvr members, and a cross stretcher extending transversely between said face plates, saidv cross stretcherhaving locking means at. each endthere-. of'Y adapted' to engage. with corresponding slots of a pair, said locking means comprising rotary latch members carried by the ends of the stretcher, said latch members having elongated lug portions adapted to extend through the slots in the face `plates into said hollow members, means for forcibly rotating said latch members and means for locking said latch members in adjusted position, f,

7. A cross stretcher for. securing freight in cargo spaces, said stretcher having a portion projecting from each 1end thereof provided with a flange forming a track engaging hook, at least one of said projecting/portions being capable of limited free adjustment in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the stretcher, jackscrews carried by the ends of the stretcher having their axes at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the stretcher, and track engaging lugs carried by said jackscrews, at least one of said-jackscrews being mounted for limited free adjustability in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the stretcher.

A cross stretcher for securing freight in cargo spaces, said stretcher comprising a hollow metal box-like section having means/,at each end thereof for lockingsaid stretcher to .la trackway, said lockingfmeans comprising rotary latches having bodies extending between the upper and lower Walls of the stretcher and mounted for rotation therebetween about axes transverse to the axis of thestretcher, said latch members having elongated lugs' projecting therefrom beyond the ends of the stretcher, crank levers secured to said rotary latch members for rdtating the same, and means for locking said crank levers in adjusted position.

9. A trackway for use in cargo compartments for holding a freight retaining stretcher, said trackway comprising a long hollow stiffening member having a face plate extending length-f wise thereof, the upper edge of the face plate being smooth and even and extending above the body of the stiffening member to form a guide track for the stretcher, said face plate having spaced cruciform slots therein.

"110; A trackway for use in cargo compartments for holding a freight retaining stretcher, said Ytrackway comprising a longitudinally extending stiiening channel lhaving a face platesecured to the legs of the channel, at least one longitudinal vedge of the face plate extending slightly beyond the corresponding leg of the channel parallel with the axis of the channel and being smooth and even to provide a guide track, the face plate having longitudinally spaced holes therein opening into said channel.

11. Means for securing freight in a cargo compartment comprising trackways mounted in substantially parallel relationship along the sides of the compartment, said trackways comprising stiifening'channels having face plates secured thereto, said face plates having holes formed therein spaced at intervals longitudinally of the trackway, the upper edges of the face plates extending above the stiiening channels and being smooth and even to form guide rails, and a cross stretcher extending transversely between said trackways, said cross stretcher having hook plates mounted thereon extending beyond the ends thereof and riding on said guide rails, said plates having hooked portions engaging behind the edges of the plates, the hook plate at at least one end of the stretcher being capable of limited free sliding movement longitudinally of the stretcher, and locking means independent of the PHILIP HAMPTON THEARLE.

REFERENCES CITED.

The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,749,473 Des Islets Mar. 4, 1930 2,056,704 Anderson Oct. G, 1936 2,354,861 Hermann Aug. l, 1944 2,425,875 Hermann Aug. 19, 1947 2,440,437 Fahland Apr. 27, 1948 2,466,728 Nampa Apr. 12, 1949 2,476,362 Fahland July 19, 1949 2,497,683 Nampa et al. Feb. 14, 1950 

